Daily news focus

Many UK healthcare professionals still “panic” when they come across a case of female genital mutilation (FGM), according to a leading specialist midwife who has called for improvements to training and services.

Your Career Gateway

Nursing Times events to look out for in 2019
Nursing Times Careers Live will return in 2019 with seven events across England while the Student Nursing Times Awards will celebrate the best in nursing education – entries close soon

Young care workers showcase skills in 'caring competition'

The first WorldSkills UK Caring Competition, organised by the National Skills Academy for Social Care and UK Skills, was launched this week.

The competition has been open to applications from anyone working in, or training for, the social care sector over the age of 16, with the Skills Academy receiving applications from interested individuals from all over the country.

Skills Academy Chief Executive, Liz McSheehy, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the first national Caring Competition at Leicester College. Caring Competitions provide an opportunity for students of social care and those working in the sector to demonstrate their abilities. We hope that these competitions will raise the profile of social care as a skilled and professional career choice”.

Today’s competition sees shortlisted participants compete in the two-day event, in the hopes of winning a medal or progressing to the UK final of the Caring Competition.

Care Services Minister, Phil Hope, welcomed the competitors, via a video message saying: “We’re very pleased to be supporting such an inspiring competition, the first of its kind in the care sector. By 2025 it’s predicted that one million extra care workers will be needed to meet the growing demand for services, so it’s vital that practitioners like you are well equipped and prepared to deliver excellent care.”

Competitors must demonstrate the delivery of excellent care in two different activities in front of live judging. The activities have been devised by the National Skills Academy to replicate situations which competitors should be familiar with from their every day roles.

Competitors will be observed and judged in a devised Emergency Situation for thirty minutes and for one hour in Activities for Daily Living, helping a service user to carry out a regular routine.

Have your say

Please remember that the submission of any material is governed by our Terms and Conditions and by submitting material you confirm your agreement to these Terms and Conditions. Links may be included in your comments but HTML is not permitted.

Unlimited access to Nursing Times...

...gives you the confidence to be the best nurse you can be. Our online learning units, clinical practice articles, news and opinion stories, helps you increase your skills and knowledge and improves your practice.